Where, oh where, is Skype for Windows Phone? Back in April of last year, we heard from Microsoft that work was underway on a port of the popular VoIP software for Windows Phone, with plans to see the software released in the fall. We patiently waited, and by the time fall came around, Microsoft ended up so enamored with Skype that it purchased the company in an $8.5B deal. We weren’t sure at first if that would mean a delay for Windows Phone Skype, as Microsoft re-thought how it wanted to use this new asset, or if it might lead to a streamlining of things, with the app fast-tracked for release. Despite assurances that it would make it out before the end of 2011, the app remained vaporware. If you’ve been concerned about Skype’s fate on Windows Phone, an exec recently confirmed that the app is still on the way, and should be “coming soon”.

Skype’s VP of Products, Rick Osterloh, mentioned that the company continues “working on a Windows Phone product” in a Microsoft-conducted interview. That’s an interesting choice of words, since we’ve been wondering about just how Skype for Windows Phone would first arrive; this ambiguity’s not helping. The latest rumors suggest that Skype will first hit the platform as a normal app. Then, later down the road in a future OS update, Microsoft would introduce some tighter Skype integration as a standard part of Windows Phone.